Historic north-east railway station destroyed by fire on track for opening

A historic railway station which was destroyed by a blaze will reopen later this month.

The Old Royal Station, in Ballater, was used by royals travelling by train to their home at nearby Balmoral Castle.

But the B-listed visitor attraction was left ruined following a fire in May 2015 and has since been rebuilt by Aberdeenshire Council.

Aberdeenshire Provost Bill Howatson will officially open the attraction to the public in an official ceremony taking place on August 20.

Following completion of the building works, the fit-out was undertaken throughout July, with the project team working hard to ensure the facility would open during the summer season.

During work to restore the building, the royal waiting room interior was carefully repaired by specialists to ensure the quality “is equal to that lost in the fire”, a spokesman for the local authority said.

“As part of the repair and conservation work, as much of the original fabric is being retained as far as possible,” he added.

The station will have a range of uses, with the site featuring a VisitScotland information centre, a restaurant and tearoom run by The Prince’s Foundation, and an Aberdeenshire Council public library.

There is also a new space extending along the old platform and over the tracks where the royal carriage sits, taking the form of railway sheds, “mixing royal heritage with local history”.

Jane Angus, Ballater and Crathie Community Council member, said: “A number of people have worked very hard for the reopening of the station.

“I am very pleased that it will be open to the public once again and hope it can now be used to provide more for Ballater and the surrounding areas.”

Following the completion of external works, Station Square is now reopened to traffic.